Japan, India reject Biden's xenophobia accusations
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The Japanese government says it was "unfortunate" that the US President made comments that were not based "on an accurate understanding" of the country's policy.
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President Joe Biden speaks at the Wilmington Convention Center, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Wilmington, N.C., as he announces his administration is providing states an additional $3 billion to replace lead pipes across the country. (AP/Alex Brandon)
Japan responded Saturday to US President Joe Biden's comments about the Asian ally being "xenophobic", calling the depiction "unfortunate" and misguided.
At a recent campaign event on Wednesday, Biden claimed the four economic powers, Japan, India, China, and Russia, were struggling because of their unwillingness to accept immigrants.
"Why is China stalling so badly economically? Why is Japan in trouble? Why is Russia in trouble? And India? Because they're xenophobic. They don't want immigrants," he said.
"One of the reasons why our economy is growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants," the President added.
Tokyo on Saturday said it was "unfortunate that comments not based on an accurate understanding of Japan's policy were made," according to a government statement.
The Japanese government had already delivered this message to the White House and explained once again about its policies and stances, the statement indicated.
Biden's remarks soon prompted the White House to explain them, with National Security Council spokesman John Kirby telling reporters that the President was merely trying to send a broader message that "the United States is a nation of immigrants."
"It's in our DNA," he said.
"We're aware of the US government's explanation that the comments in question weren't made for the purpose of harming the importance and perpetuity of the Japan-US relationships", Tokyo mentioned in its statement.
Similarly, New Delhi reacted to Biden's comments, rejecting the US President's allegations of xenophobia and defending its economy and "open" society.
India's External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stressed that Indian society has been "very open in the history of the world."
"First of all, our economy is not faltering…India is always… India has been a very unique country… I would say actually, in the history of the world, that it's been a society which has been very open… different people from different societies come to India." he indicated.
Jaishankar also mentioned that the country's Citizenship Amendment Act aims "to open up doors for people who are in trouble… I think we should be open to people who have the need to come to India, who have a claim to come to India."
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